A mother whose dream was cut short before she could even dream, vowed to educate her daughters and help them achieve their goals.

Today is a day to share my sincere heartfelt gratitude to the woman who has been my teacher, mentor and philosopher ever since I was born.

My Amma is a 9th grade dropout. An ambitious woman who wanted to study. She was raised in a rural village, therefore her parents did not allow her to continue her schooling once she reached puberty.?

My Amma has been my inspiration ever since I started to see the world.

Amma has always emphasised one thing - “Education.”

Most women in Amma’s generation, from what I've observed, preferred to have sons, but she consistently emphasises that having girl children is preferable for improving the world. My mother always beautifies femininity.?

The woman who imparted me?

? The value of Education

? That a woman doesn’t belong to kitchen?

? Feminism (though she isn’t aware of it)

? To have financially independence

? To be authentic self

Amma couldn't teach us anything in English since her teaching language was "TAMIL." She had therefore asked our kindergarten teachers to pronounce the words in English and write them in Tamil. She taught us English rhymes and terms using her handwritten Tamil notes as soon as we got back home.?

I believe my love of learning English is a result of my Amma, and I now facilitate?

Engineers, Doctors, and other healthcare professionals around the world in improving their English language skills.

She scheduled private tuitions for us when the syllabus became more tough because she found it difficult to tutor (Though it was difficult for her to afford.)

I have observed the mothers of my cousins and acquaintances saving for their daughter’s wedding (jewellery, valuables, and sarees). “You don't even have boys, so why do you waste so much on girls' education”, A few wise women advised my amma.?

Least bothered by their words, my Amma spent every penny on our education.?

She never said "no," regardless of what we wanted to learn. Even then, there were numerous occasions when relatives and other family members advised her to educate her daughters just to a certain extent because if girls received more education than boys, finding a spouse would be more difficult.?

Even the family's eldest member would receive the same response from Amma: "My girls are not going to merely settle as housewives; matchmaking is a part of their existence. I therefore won't obstruct their dreams. If partners are going to be intimidated by my girls’ growth and success, they won’t be good matches.”

That's the opinion of a woman who grew up in a traditional rural home. Still surrounded by a patriarchal society and stereotypical individuals, she always speaks up for all children, not just her daughters.

?A mother whose dream was cut short before she could even dream resolved to educate her daughters and help them achieve their goals.?

A mother who emphasised in her daughters the value of education has raised one to be a Softskills trainer and the other to be an advocate.

Happy Birthday to the bold and outspoken woman. I have always admired your ethics and the way you respect your daughters’ decisions even when you disagree with them. Could have never asked for someone better than you. You are our guardian Angel.

#HappyBirthdayAmma #Prathibajayaprakash?

#HappyTeachersDayAmma